Coyle sees strength in numbers

19 March 2010 04:09

Bolton were in the relegation zone when Coyle arrived from Burnley in January, but are now eight points clear following victory against Wigan last weekend.

Coyle said: "We have some really talented players but the strength is not in the individual. Any club I have worked at the strength is in our group.

"People have remarked about the number of clean sheets we have kept recently but that has been a collective effort.

"That is not just about Jussi Jaaskelainen, who is an outstanding goalkeeper. The more quality we bring to the game the more chance we have of winning points.

"When we came in we had to try to lift the club out of the bottom three. We have managed to do that but there is so much hard work ahead of us. There are some good sides fighting for their lives as we are.

"We have to go about it on a game by game basis and try to pick points up until we are assured of Premier League survival."

Fabrice Muamba scored his first goal for the club in the 4-0 win over Wigan and Coyle believes the midfielder has a bright future.

He said: "I rate him very highly. He is 21 and will continue to get better and evolve. He has pace in abundance, real energy and desire about him.

"He is a good young English player, which is great for the country and he scored a terrific goal last week.

"If he keeps adding that to his game, with everything else he has in his locker there is no doubt he has a fantastic career ahead of him."

Coyle has nothing but admiration for his opposite number tomorrow, Everton boss David Moyes having also been raised in the Glasgow area.

Moyes has turned Everton around after a poor start when his squad was riddled with injuries.

Coyle added: "They are probably the form team in the division, particularly at home, where they have turned over Manchester United and Chelsea. We are under no illusions about how difficult the task will be.

"David Moyes is a pal and someone I have a lot of time for. He is a top-class manager, he has shown it year after year.

"I hold him in very high esteem. The job he has done is second to none. Everton are fortunate to have him because there are some big clubs out there and he is capable of being a world force.

"We are similar in a way in that we both have a passion and a desire to win matches."